Shipping industry pushes for standard fuel method
Global marine paint coatings company, International Paint, together with BMT ARGOSS and NAPA, has called on the IMO’s Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) to develop a standard methodology to verify the energy saving and eco-efficiency impact of clean technologies.
As fuel prices are likely to get even higher as new lower sulphur regulations are enforced, key figures from the shipping industry are questioning the measurement and validation of fuel saving claims from technology companies. They want to know more accurate methods they can employ to reduce fuel consumption and associated costs and emissions.
Matti Salo, executive vice president for operations, NAPA, added: “An agreed methodology for measuring and verifying the affect of hull and propeller coatings on vessel performance would be a significant advantage to owners and operators seeking to improve the efficiency of their fleets. This methodology would need to both isolate these factors and take into account weather and other various oceanographic conditions.”
The companies have expressed their concerns that until a standard methodology is agreed to determine the fuel savings claims of clean technologies and measures, the industry will continue to lack confidence in the information they need to make vital investment decisions.
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